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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
All Saints Yr C
Introduction
Introduction
In 2016, Pope Francis offered a “new” look at the Beatitudes, a revision of what they might be in today’s world. Here’s an excerpt from The Catholic News Service dated 11/1/16.
— “Blessed are those who remain faithful while enduring evils inflicted on them by others and forgive them from their heart.
— “Blessed are those who look into the eyes of the abandoned and marginalized and show them their closeness.
— “Blessed are those who see God in every person and strive to make others also discover him.
— “Blessed are those who protect and care for our common home.
— “Blessed are those who renounce their own comfort in order to help others.
— “Blessed are those who pray and work for full communion between Christians.”
“All these are messengers of God’s mercy and tenderness,” Pope Francis said. “Surely they will receive from him their merited reward.”
Compare these to those of Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber [scroll down] then to those found in this week’s gospel. Don’t forget to look at the “woes” this week as well.
Part of what I enjoy doing is comparing the scripture lessons from one year to the next (or for Year A versus Year B versus Year C). The scripture for All Saints is different for each year, in particular with the gospel of Matthew for Year A, the gospel of John for Year B, and the gospel of Luke for Year C. I encourage you to go look them up and do you own mini-assessment of the differences.
I also think about the saints that I know or have read about and wonder how they came to be saints. I realize that many/most did not wake up one morning and say, "I'm gonna be a saint." I encourage you to watch "Saint Vincent" with Bill Murray—the story about a curmudgeon who becomes a saint to his young charge (reluctantly). The movie makes the strong point that saints don't set out to become saints, but they are saints nevertheless.
Comments welcome.
Luke 6:20-31
Luke 6:20-31
Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.”
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
“Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.
“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
From sermon4kids.com: “Why should we love our enemies? Jesus said that when we love our enemies, we are acting like children of God. If we only love those who love us, will God reward us for that? If we are only kind to our friends, what is so great about that? Everybody does that!”
Scripture: November 1, 2025—All Saints—Daniel 7:1-3,15-18; Psalm 149; Ephesians 1:11-23; and Luke 6:20-31.
Collect: Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Reflection: “Take a moment in prayerful reflection for saints among us, around us, and before: Who are your saints? Who has shaped your life and world? What kind of saint is God calling you to be?” from “Remembering All Saints” from Patheos website.
Practice: From the Bruce Epperly commentary (see below), who in your life do you consider (have you considered) a saint? Why? If you are so moved, share.
A visual/audio journey. Thanks to Joe McFalls for reading.
What do you want to be, anyway?
What do you want to be, anyway?
I forget what we were arguing about, but in the end Lax suddenly turned around and asked me the question: “What do you want to be, anyway?”
I could not say, “I want to be Thomas Merton the well-known writer of all those book reviews in the back pages of the Times Book Review,” or “Thomas Merton the assistant instructor of Freshman English at the New Life Social Institute for Progress and Culture,” so I put the thing on the spiritual plane, where I knew it belonged and said:
“I don’t know; I guess what I want is to be a good Catholic.”
“What do you mean, you want to be a good Catholic?”
The explanation I gave was lame enough, and expressed my confusion, and betrayed how little I had really thought about it at all. Lax did not accept it.
“What you should say”, he told me, “what you should say is that you want to be a saint.”
A saint! The thought struck me as a little weird. I said: “How do you expect me to become a saint?”
“By wanting to,” said Lax simply.
“I can’t be a saint,” I said, “I can’t be a saint.” And my mind darkened with a confusion of realities and unrealities: the knowledge of my own sins, and the false humility which makes men say that they cannot do the things that they must do, cannot reach the level that they must reach: the cowardice that says: “I am satisfied to save my soul, to keep out of mortal sin,” but which means, by those words: “I do not want to give up my sins and my attachments.”
© Thomas Merton (1915-1968), "The Seven Story Mountain", From The Edge of the Enclosure blog.
Images enhancing
the scripture
“River of Life“, by Jan Richardson
“All Saints Day” by Vasilii Kandinsky
"Do unto others", at the United Nations, by Norman Rockwell
“Communion of Saints” by Elise Ritter
Music founded
in the scripture
Which is your fav?
“For all the saints” two ways: Indellible Grace
and congregational singing, this is visually appealing too
“I sing a song of the saints of God” sung by kids (forgive the initial seconds when the image is sideways)
Other voices
about the scripture
“Remembering All Saints” by Bruce Epperly
“Blessed“, poem by Steve Garnass-Holmes from Unfolding light weblog
“What is a saint?“, self-guided retreat from At the edge of the enclosure weblog
Movies representing some part of the scripture
“There’s something about Mary“ (1998, R), two suitors who are in love with how Mary makes them feel, Review
“The Cider House Rules” (1999, PG-13), “spiritual practice of self-esteem”, "blessed are the pure in heart”, spiritual practice of self esteem, Review
For families: Study guide, group activity, snacks, kid video
For children: Activities—one & two), bulletin; crafts
For middlers: Activities one & two), bulletin; crafts
For youth: Explore the epistle lesson from Ephesians (1:11-23), particularly verses 15 -19. Identify an “everyday” saint who has had an impact on your faith formation. Consider writing a short note of thanks to the everyday saint you have identified. You may also be a “saint” to others. In the gospel lesson too (Luke 6:20-31), we are “saints” only by the grace of God, and are being perfected. How are these lessons difficult for you? If you choose, share your thoughts.
All Souls Day began in the third century to honor martyrs of the Christian Faith. By the seventh and eighth centuries, it had developed as a way to honor elevated saints of the Church. During the early medieval period in the eleventh century, the following day, November 2, came to be observed as All Souls' Day to remember those who had died but had not yet achieved the “beatific vision” of heaven, or who were still in Purgatory. This became a time to pray and intercede for these departed saints.
Popular myth and superstition became associated with the two days. . . . Much of what concerns modern Christians actually developed in Ireland and England from pagan Celtic festivals and was imported to the United States by immigrants during the mid-19th century. Halloween gained association in the late 19th century and was exported to other countries. . . .
. . . [T]raditionally, the two days of All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2) are valued as times to celebrate heritage and faithful Christians of preceeding generations. . . . [E]ven after the Reformation, Lutheran and Anglican traditions retained the celebration of All Saints Day as a time to honor those who had been faithful.
Today, many Protestant churches combine the two traditional days into the observance of All Saints Day. However, the day focuses not only on honoring departed members of the Church and local congregations, but also those still living who have contributed to the work and ministry of the Church in significant ways. Since November 1 is on a weekday in most years and weekday services are often not held, the Sunday following November 1 is often celebrated as All Saints Sunday . . ..
Excerpted from The voice website.
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